After the birth of your baby you'll be staying in hospital for 4 nights after a vaginal birth and 5 nights for a Caesarean Section, so it's best to have enough things to last you and your baby for this time and sometimes a little extra. For baby: at least two zip onesies/sleepsuits and singlets per day.
Aim for one outfit in newborn size and one 0-3 months. Don't forget hats and/or socks, if weather-appropriate. Your pediatrician's contact information. The doctors and nurses will ask you for this information several times, so it's good to have it handy.
Pack at least two or three sleepsuits, vests and a cardigan or two. Depending on what time of year it is you may also need something warm like a pramsuit.
In the hospital, blankets and onesies are typically provided. If you'd like to bring baby his/her own clothes to wear during your stay or a special outfit, please do so, but it isn't required.
Pack at least two of each for each day, more if possible. Pack an additional outfit for their journey home. A hat, or two. The midwife will want to put your baby straight into a hat so make sure you have one handy.
Size NB or 0-3 month size clothes for the baby's stay in the hospital. Size NB or 0-3 month size clothes for going home. Consider the baby's comfort (for example, while wearing their special outfit in the car seat – avoid bows in the back).
Clothing: A bathrobe, a nightgown or two, slippers, and socks. Hospitals and birth centers provide gowns and socks for you to use, but some women also bring their own. Choose a loose, comfortable gown that's either sleeveless or has short, loose sleeves so that your blood pressure can be checked easily.
A lot of mothers want breast coverage while they deliver, which is completely understandable, and you can keep your bra on during labor if you want. However, we recommend wearing a simple bra that is comfortable and easy to remove.
Pyjamas and other clothing
You're going to want to be comfortable while in hospital so it's a good idea to take a set of pyjamas that are easy to get on and off, Dr Lee says. A second spare pair is also a good idea, plus slippers or socks so your feet don't get cold.
Newborn Swaddles or Gowns
Most hospitals prefer to dress babies simply, either in just a diaper and swaddled in a flannel blanket, or in a side-snap bodysuit or basic gown.
breast pads. maternity pads (two packets) an extra five pairs of knickers. towels.
Just make sure that you have good diapers that fit your baby, as this will cut down on leaks that force you to wash your baby clothes. If you have quality diapers, then a good rule of thumb is to buy enough baby bodysuits for at least two changes per day.
Newborn checklist: the essentials
Considering babies go through 1-2 outfit changes a day, it is a good idea to have 4-6 zip front onesies and bodysuits on hand. It is a good idea to have a mix of merino and organic cotton bodysuits, as well as short-sleeved and long-sleeved.
We would recommend between 3-5 muslins so you're never running short!
So, should you slip your bouncing baby into their coming home outfit as soon as you can? We recommend saving it for the ride home. Typically, the hospital will provide everything you need during your stay, including diapers, baby wipes, and even a onesie, hat, and blankets to keep your newborn warm.
Leaving the Hospital
Babies are often overdressed for the first trip home. Dress your baby as you would dress yourself. So, if you'd be too warm in a knitted hat during the summer, your baby probably will be, too. In warm weather, dress your baby in a T-shirt and light cotton pants or a baby blanket over bare legs.
In the majority of cases, you will be asked to remove all other clothing and just leave your underwear on underneath the gown. Interweave provides the Dignity hospital gown to many hospitals, as this provides the patient with more dignity.
During his time shadowing in the emergency department, he has seen that the standard process for treating trauma patients includes having their clothes removed, often by cutting them off. Unless these patients have friends or family able to bring them clean clothes, they leave the hospital in paper scrubs.
Pubic or perineal shaving is a procedure performed before birth in order to lessen the risk of infection if there is a spontaneous perineal tear or if an episiotomy is performed.
This is completely up to you. If you tell your care team that you'd like to keep your clothes on during labor, then we're going to do everything we can to help you feel comfortable and covered. I've had women give birth almost fully clothed, and I've had women give birth completely naked.
She adds that wearing makeup on your face is perfectly safe during and after the birthing process. The only thing the medical professionals want you to avoid is fake nails — they can interfere with hospital equipment like oxygen monitoring devices.
Blanket. While the hospital will likely provide blankets, a blanket of your own is always good to have on hand to use during skin-to-skin contact. It can also be used to keep your baby warm in the car seat on the way home.
comfortable day clothes which are loose-fitting (front-opening clothes are easy for breastfeeding) underwear, including large, close-fitting pants to hold maternity pads – you may find disposable pants useful for the first few days. a nursing bra. maternity pads or night-time sanitary pads.
You're going to be pretty exposed.
There can be a lot of activity during labor, some of which you may not want people to see. For example, your body will be exposed when nurses come in to check your cervix for dilation, when an anesthesiologist places an epidural, or when the doctor breaks your bag of water.